restrict

Where does the word "restrict" come from? It comes from Latin restringere, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).

Restrict’s story begins in Latin: restringere meant “to bind back, to limit.” To bind back, to limit, from re- (back) and stringere (to draw tight). It reached English by 1400s as restrict. Settled as the English word for keeping something within limits. Today, restrict means to keep something within particular limits, or to limit freedom of movement or action.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient restringere "to bind back, to limit", to bind back, to limit, from re- (back) and stringere (to draw tight).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1400s restrict "to keep something within limits", settled as the English word for keeping something within limits.